'''Halad''' or "Warden" was the title of the Chieftain of [[Brethil]] who was the leader of the [[Folk of Haleth]]. The Halad's residence was called [[Obel Halad]].<ref name="Title">{{WJ|Hurin}}, p. 263</ref> When spoken of in a general way this official was called "The Halad";<ref>{{WJ|Hurin}}, p. 275</ref> when name and title were spoken the title came second, as in "[[Hardang]] Halad".<ref>{{WJ|Hurin}}, p. 276</ref> His duties included command of the armed men of the land<ref name="Title"/> and leadership of the [[Folkmoot]], the gatherings of the people called to make important decisions.<ref>{{WJ|Hurin}}, p. 283</ref>

'''Halad''' or "Warden" was the title of the Chieftain of [[Brethil]] who was the leader of the [[Folk of Haleth]]. The Halad's residence was called [[Obel Halad]].<ref name="Title">{{WJ|Hurin}}, p. 263</ref> When spoken of in a general way this official was called "The Halad";<ref>{{WJ|Hurin}}, p. 275</ref> when name and title were spoken the title came second, as in "[[Hardang]] Halad".<ref>{{WJ|Hurin}}, p. 276</ref> His duties included command of the armed men of the land<ref name="Title"/> and leadership of the [[Folkmoot]], the gatherings of the people called to make important decisions.<ref>{{WJ|Hurin}}, p. 283</ref>

−

The position of the Halad was elective, chosen by the people of Brethil, but by custom all chieftains had come from the [[House of Haleth]].<ref name="Title"/> After [[Brandir the Lame]] had died in {{FA|499}}<ref>{{WJ|West}}, ''(iii) The Haladin'', p. 237</ref> there was some contention in Brethil concerning who should become the next Halad. Many had wished to elect [[Manthor]] but Hardang came from the senior branch of the family under [[Halmir]] and obtained the title.<ref name="Office">{{WJ|Hurin}}, p. 270</ref>

+

The position of the Halad was elective, chosen by the people of Brethil, but by custom all chieftains had come from the [[House of Haleth]].<ref name="Title"/> After [[Brandir|Brandir the Lame]] had died in {{FA|499}}<ref>{{WJ|West}}, ''(iii) The Haladin'', p. 237</ref> there was some contention in Brethil concerning who should become the next Halad. Many had wished to elect [[Manthor]] but Hardang came from the senior branch of the family under [[Halmir]] and obtained the title.<ref name="Office">{{WJ|Hurin}}, p. 270</ref>

==Other Versions of the Legendarium==

==Other Versions of the Legendarium==

Revision as of 15:34, 3 March 2012

"a complete consistency [...] is not to be looked for, and could only be achieved, if at all, at heavy and needless cost." — Christopher Tolkien

Halad or "Warden" was the title of the Chieftain of Brethil who was the leader of the Folk of Haleth. The Halad's residence was called Obel Halad.[1] When spoken of in a general way this official was called "The Halad";[2] when name and title were spoken the title came second, as in "Hardang Halad".[3] His duties included command of the armed men of the land[1] and leadership of the Folkmoot, the gatherings of the people called to make important decisions.[4]

The position of the Halad was elective, chosen by the people of Brethil, but by custom all chieftains had come from the House of Haleth.[1] After Brandir the Lame had died in F.A.499[5] there was some contention in Brethil concerning who should become the next Halad. Many had wished to elect Manthor but Hardang came from the senior branch of the family under Halmir and obtained the title.[6]

In a section not included in the story it was stated that Avranc, not of the House of Haleth, was chosen for the next Halad but that the authority and reverence of the office was gone.[7]

In an isolated note J.R.R. Tolkien had written possible name changes. One would have substituted Halbar for Halad.[8]

Etymology

Since the chieftains of Brethil were elected from the family of Haldad it was natural to used the term "Halad" for the position. Haldad's name meant "watchdog" and was derived from hal(a), meaning "watch" or "guard".[6]